The wealthy Catalonia region is strengthening its tax office and expanding its network of foreign missions in defiance of the central government, as it prepares for possible secession from Spain.
Nationalist leaders in the rich region in northeastern Spain have called a snap regional vote for September 27th centred on independence after Spanish authorities blocked their bid for a referendum on the issue in the courts.
Catalan president Artur Mas went ahead with a symbolic vote on independence last November organised by volunteers. The outcome, however, was mixed — about 80 percent of the 2.3 million people who voted backed secession, but the turnout was little more than 40 percent.
His government is building the structure of an independent state in areas such as diplomacy, taxes and social security to be ready in case the pro-independence camp wins September’s elections.
It has enlisted a former Spanish tax inspector, Joan Iglesias, to prepare the Catalan government to collect its own taxes.
The Catalan tax authority currently collects about five percent of the total amount of taxes raised in the region, which has a population of 7.5 million people and accounts for one-fifth of Spain’s economic output.
Catalonia could collect around €100 billion ($113 billion) in taxes each year, much more than the €65 billion that an independent Catalan state would need, he added… see more
source: the local
Tags: Catalonia, Independence vote, Politics
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